Six Senses Douro Valley

My husband and I booked a trip here and were so excited. We had great communication with the concierge and had dinner reservations and messages set up at the hotel. However, we had a medical emergency that would not allow us to travel so I emailed them 8 hours after the "cancellation period" asking for a medical exception. I provided a medical letter. Then the hotel did not respond to my emails. When I was trying to book more things on property and spend more money they responded immediately, but when I had an issue they refused to respond. I ended up getting in contact with them through a third party and with the medical letter they still refused to refund my $5300 trip (8 hours outside the cancellation policy). As a business owner myself this is such poor customer service and is somewhat heartless.

What a beautiful hotel! Everything was nearly perfect! The rooms are lovely (although our river view room didn’t really have a view of the river because of the trees). We did have a terrace however which was lovely in the morning with the sun (shaded in the late afternoon) If you want a proper river view I think the rooms on the higher floors without a terrace might be a better option. The bed was one of the most comfortable we’ve ever slept in with down pillows ….. The food overall was excellent and the breakfast was amazing with so much choice. The service was occasionally a little sporadic with items being forgotten. A beautiful pool area with a lovely bar and restaurant (again slightly sporadic service) and the staff were lovely. A great 4 day stay…..

This is probably one of the best property to stay in Portugal so our expectations were high for the price charged per night. Views and location were amazing. View from the room was amazing. Food and especially the breakfast was the best we have had in a long time, for the main reason that everything is pretty much farm to table and you do taste the difference. The spa was also worth the experience So why one star less, the room: We had hoped for a better more exclusive room experience in line with the four seasons and the ritz Carlton reserve hotels but that did not happen. Overall, a good experience and we will not forget the food at this place.

Everything about Six Senses Douro is a delight to the senses -- the aesthetic, the nature, the decor, the food and wine, and the truly sublime setting. The staff go out of their way to attend to your every need and the service is friendly and personable without being stuffy. The fresh ingredients from the gardens are a treat and the spa and wellness experiences are really fabulous. This is one of the great hotel properties in the world that you want to come back to, and which should be on every serious traveler's bucket list. Loved the breakfast too of buffet and à la carte options.

There was a time when the Douro Valley offered something truly rare: authenticity. It was a land of soulful vineyards, river-bound stories, and warm hospitality — accessible not just to elite tourists, but to Portuguese families like mine, who’ve sailed these waters for decades and called this valley a second home. I remember my first stay at Six Senses: a refined experience at €300–€400 a night, which, though high-end, felt justified. The service was exceptional, the setting magical, and the sense of place — intact. Those days, it seems, have long since sailed downriver. Now? Try north of €2,000 per night. For a hotel room. In Portugal. Yes, the amenities are excellent. Yes, the grounds are beautiful. But no, they are not two-thousand-euros-a-night beautiful. Not even close. What we’re witnessing is a sad transformation: the Douro being polished into a version of itself that caters exclusively to global wealth, while quietly — or not so quietly — pushing away the very people and culture that gave it soul. You’ll still find authentic quintas throughout the region: family-run, deeply rooted, and delightfully unpolished — offering wine, food, and true Portuguese warmth at a fraction of the price. But places like Six Senses are leading a different charge, slowly but surely converting the Douro into a new “Tuscany”, where ultra-luxury replaces local charm, and Portugal becomes a postcard for others to enjoy — while the locals are priced out of their own story. As the saying goes, “Price is what you pay. Value is what you get.” And at €2,000 a night, the value here feels more like a carefully curated illusion than anything genuinely Portuguese. I left with one certainty: next time, I’ll choose heart over hype — and stay where the Douro still speaks its native tongue.

Great hotel for a business retreat with SLT. Marianna the perfect host and Joel hotel Manager always on hand. The staff team were great. The hotel setting is stunning. Transfer from Porto a bit longer than ideal but we could land nearby sadly due to restrictions. The Spa and Padel is good. The food is outstanding and all operated beautifully.